Chapter I: The Hall of Death

Introduction

Based on statistical analysis of 53 million deaths, The American Heart Association makes the gasping report, “there were more deaths on December 25 than on any other day of the year” – New Zealand Listener. E.J. Mundell, a HealthDay reporter

You could die for celebrating Xmas.

said, “Americans are more likely to die on Christmas Day, the day after Christmas, and on New Year's Day than on any other day of the year.” The Holy Scriptures do necessitate that men must die on Xmas for their sins. Hebrews 11 is called the Hall of Faith, but, I have titled this chapter the Hall of Death. Hebrews 11 reviews selected men through biblical history to show their righteous deeds of faith that a good man should imitate. As an antithesis of this, in this chapter I review throughout biblical history the sinful deeds of unbelief that, when committed, men underwent God’s penalty of death. Yes, the God of the Bible kills people! If a man walked the Hall of Fame he would learn of honourable sports heroes and their achievements. If a man walked the Hall of Faith he would learn of faith heroes. This Hall of death is marked with death threats and dead men, and if a man walks it he may learn the fear of God to avoid their sin. Learning from these men will result in the unavoidable conclusion that men (in general) must die on Xmas for their sins. Before I seek to prove this by a comprehensive biblical study in over five hundred verses, please give me leave for two needful addresses: First, a review of a reputable, peer-reviewed, medical journal that shows shocking death rates that climax on Xmas day or the day after. This is to justify my claim, or rather the biblical claim, that you could die for celebrating Xmas. Second, appeals of earnest entreaties and attentions concerning cultural or religious biases which are unbiblical and dangerous.

Such an alarming amount of people die on Xmas day, the day after, and the first of the year, consistently year by year, that careful studies were done to seek answers. My primary source which conducted the research from which I reference is a peer-reviewed, academic journal, Circulation, an American Heart Association publication. It is titled “Cardiac Mortality Is Higher Around Christmas and New Year’s Than at Any Other Time: The Holidays as a Risk Factor for Death.” To alleviate any confusion in having to find the web link from the Bibliography, the URL is http://weber.ucsd.edu/~dphillip/circulation_journal_holiday_heart_final_print_version.pdf. The intention of this research was to “build on earlier work published in Circulation by Kloner et al, who studied daily coronary heart disease (CHD) deaths in Los Angeles, California. These authors found that CHD mortality reached an absolute peak “around the winter holiday period.”” This earlier research done by Kloner showed a mortality peak with cardiac deaths, however, the question remained if these death peaks were consistent in noncardiac cases, and, if these deaths were due to the cold winter climate changes and the stress of the season. In other words, if the deaths were simply related to the heart, it would be understandable that they would fluctuate with the winter climates and the disorder the season brings. If the deaths are not simply heart-related and all deaths increase at this time, then what is cause?

To find evidence supporting any further conclusions, research must be done in a larger geographical region than Los Angeles to compare deaths in diverse climates and states across the USA. Also, the amount of people studied would be an important factor. Thus, further research began back in 1973, finishing in 2001. “To investigate these questions, we used death certificates to examine daily nationwide mortality. Following Kloner et al, we focused on cardiac deaths. In contrast to Kloner et al, we examined both CHD and non-CHD, both heart and nonheart diseases, a larger dataset (n_53 million versus their n_220 000), a longer time period (1973 to 2001 versus their 1985 to 1996), and the United States rather than only Los Angeles.”

The reputable information of this research, presents facts that shows this situation as mysterious and overwhelming. “The number of cardiac deaths is higher on December 25 than on any other day of the year, second highest on December 26, and third highest on January 1. The pattern is similar for noncardiac deaths. The number of noncardiac deaths is highest on December 26 than on any other day of the year, the next highest occurs on December 25, and the third highest occurs on January 1.” These are statistics of those who died, not accounting those who were sick, and sin can bring God to punish through both of these means (as will be thoroughly proved). How do we know if this is the wrath of God? If it can be proven biblically that there are particular sins committed on events surrounding these days that are of the sort that God has warned could be punished by sickness or death. I will make this case in chapter 1, however, I exhort you to check these facts presented in their sources, and know that the secular world recognizes an undisputable phenomenon. “In sum, both cardiac and non cardiac deaths spike during the 2-week holiday period from December 25 through January 7. In the 26 years under study, 42 039 “excess” deaths occurred during this holiday period (95% CI, 39 098 to 44 980). In other words, our findings indicate that during the Christmas/New Year’s holiday periods from 1973 to 2001, 42,039 more deaths occurred than would be expected if the holidays did not affect mortality.” Finally, what is worse for most is that the deaths are increasing. “Even before these follow-up studies are performed, however, the current evidence seems sufficient to demonstrate that the Christmas/New Year’s holiday season is a risk factor for both cardiac and noncardiac mortality. Because this risk factor is growing with time, it seems particularly important to investigate it and control it.”

This is good advice, but their research fails to prove the real cause for this problem. As doctors try to give explanations and grade different hypotheses presented, it appears that the authors of my primary source find most hope that “holiday-induced delays in seeking treatment” causes these deaths. This great pandemic claims over 42,000 dead, and it is because ill people are not quick enough to get to the doctor? When the statistics include cardiac and noncardiac deaths and spike on specific days of defiant revellings, namely Xmas and New Years Day, a God-fearing man should think again. Sadly, if doctors would but look to God and include him in their diagnosis, if their heart was pure before him, then perhaps they would be led into truth. When factual evidence concludes that “Americans are more likely to die on Christmas Day, the day after Christmas, and on New Year’s Day than on any other day of the year,” says HealthDay reporter E. J. Mundell, then we need more than fallible, man-motivated hypotheses; we need the unalterable, undeniable, infallible, eternal word of God to shine light on the gloom of this situation. Yea, if “all other ground is sinking sand,” it is a sure saying, on the Rock of God men can stand (The Solid Rock)! While the world stands aloof, and “people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6), let us turn our eyes to the eternal truths of God’s word that will undoubtedly reveal the mysteries of this widespread and consistent pandemic. Let us look to the word of God! If there be teachers and wise men, they will fail, for “I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation” (Psalm 119:99). If there be ancients and mighty minds of history, they will fail, for “I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts” (Psalm 119:100).

Is there deadly sin in Xmas? Some would refuse to participate in Halloween, few would disdain Easter “fun,” but Xmas is the beloved of them all. Xmas does not seem like the poignant evil of Halloween’s hellish creatures. It seems like a happy, not haunting season. Most would claim Xmas is just innocent fun and it is a beloved holiday to the majority of people. Holidays are parents’ memories and grandparents’ glories, all to be retold by a photo album or funeral stories. On Sunday the people go to a house called after God's name; without any second thought the preacher assures all of no blame. ‘Christian liberty’ he cries, no worries and take peace, God understands a seasonal game. But does he?

What saith the scripture? Truly, it is common for men in every generation to trust in respected teachers, preachers, and the ecclesiastical kingdom established before their birth. This kingdom of antiquity may demand trust for many, but there is no safety outside of what is clearly proven from scripture. As it is written, "The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going" (Pro. 4:15). We are a world of expertise, and now organized education proliferates us with Doctors of “Divinity.” The professionals of each branch of society are deemed trustworthy because of their rigorous hours of schooling. Education is their high platform of authority, in subjection with no objection the lowly laymen become loyal learners. Nevertheless, God is not like the world. God educates the poor to prudence by faith. God has set his face against the wise, saying, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent” (1 Cor. 1:19). What could be more alarming to today’s trusting laymen than this declaration of God, that he is intent on making higher learning (wisdom) utterly vain? “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God,” and what will it profit a man if he learns the whole world and forfeits the knowledge of God (1 Cor. 1:21)? Therefore, any stature of man whose resume of accomplishments does demand respect, you may attend to his speech safely if each sentence or sermon can pass the scrutiny of scripture.

It is so easy to trust in outward appearance! Dear reader, I plead with you, do not be drunk with respect for your pastor or religious community, rather you should be circumspect. As it is written, “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,” (Ephesians 5:15). According to the Webster’s 1828 dictionary, to be circumspect is: “Literally, looking on all sides; looking round. Hence, cautious; prudent; watchful on all sides; examining carefully all the circumstances that may affect a determination, or a measure to be adopted.” By your preacher you are impressed, every word he speaks does seem to be the best, but you are intoxicated and in danger if you fail to constantly test. “Prove [test] all things; hold fast that which is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21).

Christian liberty has never “legalized” or declared righteous the practice of sin, likewise, the worship of God in the way of the heathen. Christian liberty is spoken of in Romans 14:5 saying, “One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind” (Romans 14:5). These days that are permissible to esteem are not heathen holy days, they are not manmade religious services, feasts, or rituals. They are the God-ordained holy days of the Old Covenant, which were types and shadows of Christ. This passage speaks of not condemning a weaker brother that is unable to let go of the shadows that declared Christ. This brother is weaker because he is clinging to the shadows of Christ instead of resting and rejoicing in the fullness of the substance that those shadows declared, namely, Christ Jesus. Permission is granted to esteem those days which were before ordained of God. If the day is not a shadow, then there is no liberty to observe it (Col 2:16-17, Hebrews 7:18-19, 8:1-5, 9:9-12). For more information, and if you cannot proceed reading before the subject of Christian liberty is more thoroughly addressed, then please see Chapter V, the REFERENCE CHAPTER.

Arguably, Xmas is the most esteemed holiday in the world: crossing culture, race, and creed. With that in mind, it becomes increasingly relevant to understand that the esteem of the world is enmity against God. Xmas’s popularity is glaring evidence that it is an abomination to God. That which the world and the common man esteem as wisdom, and even righteousness, is at complete enmity with God. The word enmity is synonymous with, in hatred of, or, an enemy of. Furthermore, the carnal man does not even realize it! “Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God” (James 4:4).

It is not good enough to simply do what is right in our own eyes. If it seems to be right, to be a criminal in the night, this is no justification before the Throne of Light. Likewise, carnal men are a hell-spring of iniquity, a haunting devils den of rottenness with thoughts of righteous ambiguity, all these criminals of sin will be daunted by the Lord’s righteous judgment of men. As it is written in Proverbs 16:25, “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Christ will return with eternal life to bring, electrifying everlasting hymns to sing, but many with shamefaced disappointment will undergo condemnation thinking they were innocent because they followed their congregation. The late Leonard Ravenhill once said something near to this, “The fastest way to hell is down the center isle of the average church.” Therefore it is necessary that, in defining morality, “the heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things” (Prov. 15:28). What about you?

I, by the grace of God, bring before you a matter. I beg you to first hear me, and please remember, “he that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him” (Prov 18:13). The matter is the argument set forth in this book. Let me tell it in an allegory: Xmas has taken the stand of trial, the court room is the house of God, and the Judge is the Living Word of God. Let the correct interpretation of the word of God be the verdict, let me be the prosecuting attorney, and I bring to you by application of God-written law, "A Case Against Xmas." I beg you to have the patience and humility to hear me. For, “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble,” over righteousness the haughty do blindly stumble, and they are cast into hellfire like a dead branch bundle (James 4:6, John 15:6).

No man is of worthy intelligence, no nature is of any benevolence. Therefore let us look unto God alone. Let the written word declare to us the ways of the Living Word. Reader, I do earnestly hope that you examine yourself (2 Cor. 13:5)! Seek God that you would be saved from this generation of carnal men, who, by character and deed are in great danger. With an eyeglass of wisdom and a magnification of scripture, let us see clearly what is good and evil in this contemporary celebration of “Christmas.” Don’t be apathetic toward seeking the truth. Avoid the sin of self-government, and resist relativism, which is the revelry of moral atheism. We are not dealing with a mere wrong, normal humanistic mistakes, or perhaps something to work on. Wake up America! Upon the corridor walls on the highway to hell there is a graven saying that is the devil’s spell, it is the bewitching and self-justifying excuse, “I am only human.” Jesus said, “Broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat” (Matt. 7:13). It is true! I speak judiciously by the written word of God - sin dangerously provokes the eyes of His glory! The words and deeds of men are under the observance of a Thrice Holy Creator and Judge of all; and, think of it, the concentrated shadow of impending justice may presently compass you about. As it is written, “their tongue and their doings are against the LORD, to provoke the eyes of His glory” (Isaiah 3:8). O let the sleeping conscience awake! Scripture will magnify our habits to sin, multiply the enormity of crimes times ten, giving wisdom to fear in the end, finally showing that personal opinion is often a decree of satanic dominion. In the conclusion of this book may we unanimously confess, “My flesh trembleth for fear of Thee, and I am afraid of Thy judgments” (Psalm 119:120).

Seven Lessons - Ten Sins - Three Threats - Many Dead

I suppose the first thought that comes to mind when a sincere follower of Christ is deciding whether or not to celebrate Xmas would be, is it in the bible? In other words, is Jesus’ birth dated in the bible, and is Xmas commanded to be celebrated in the manner that it is, or at all? The date and tradition is not in the bible, neither is it commanded. This begs the question, is it biblically safe and wise to worship God in a way he has not specifically commanded? One may say, “no, we cannot worship God a way he has not commanded; who are we to do this?” Another may say, “O, it is not that big of a deal, we can worship him however we creatively imagine; God knows our hearts and will be pleased. I think Christmas is ok.” O reader, the heart cannot be trusted. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it” (Jeremiah 17:9)? As “children of enlightenment” we are raised in a self-confident, cursed indictment. Under this guise of goodness the eyes of faith are gouged out. Therefore blindness (a perverse distortion of who God is thought, believed, and taught to be) pervades America.

Good intentions may motivate man’s religious inventions, and seasonal climates commemorate these changing traditions, but God will punish these ambitions if they are not in obedience to what is written. To those who are biblically illiterate or unregenerate this may seem harsh, but it is because God is infinitely holy. For such men, it is easy to think that God would be like a man (Psalm 50:21). They think God would be like a human, enjoying what the world enjoys, having a personality that is passive, unruly, likable, and impersonal. He is NOT like us and we must learn his mind and thoughts.

He is God! He is the sole expression of unprecedented personal qualities, the single significant Figure of all that is. He says, “See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand” (Deut. 32:39). God is the dignity of a one-minded, thrice-numbered Jury, having the final blows of a Judge with death penalties and fury. He is the author of the Law, he is three persons in all, and God is the one only wise Trinity. Not only this, he bids men to come under his ruling, and that by a kiss. Yea, “kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him” (Psalm 2:12). Since the world began men have tested the anger of God. God has become a historian so that history does not repeat itself. As the famous quote goes, “Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it” -Winston Churchill. This is the mercy of God. He is a book-keeping God. He has recorded for us the chronicles of capital crimes wherein his wrath was kindled many times. He has accounted for us the memoirs of deeds that deserved instantaneous execution. Yea, and he is The Executioner, the obituary chooser, and he has written A Hall of Death with fire and blood.

A Hall of Death I say! This cloud of witnesses does provide examples to avoid instead of imitate. Their memory tells of deeds that were reprimanded by pitiless death. Do you trust in the benevolent pity of God when committing sins he has revealed pitiless wrath to in time past? Faith is to follow The Hall of Faith in Hebrews 11, but God has provided A Hall of Death! The annals of this Hall of Death includes an unspecified number of executions, but this account of those who died preserves a selected ten sins, seven lessons, and three threats which we may take heed to. When focusing on the execution of those who physically died, I will occasionally and repeatedly magnify God’s wrath in eternal death as a sincere warning to my reader. Terrifying judgments of death within time are springboards to help us understand the incomprehensible terror of eternal judgments of the second death without time.

An unholy god is a creation of men, not The Creator of men. It is an idol god made up in the imagination of men. A God that writes the wish list of wicked men is not the God of Heaven. Furthermore, homage to such a god is a covenant with Satan. Do

SIN #1 ~ An Unholy godTHREAT #1 ~ “Tear You In Pieces”

you want to know the true God? God has given us a light in the darkness, an inspired, God-breathed book. It declares the end from the beginning and leads all men to freedom. I say therefore, “study to shew thyself approved unto God” (2 Timothy 2:15). There is a sin that aggravates the justice of God to “tear you in pieces”; do you believe that? It is even the evil thoughts that God is like you. The crime is, God says, “thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself” (Psalm 50:21). A god “as thyself” would be an imaginary god, that is not God. In the next verse of Psalm 50, God addresses these sinners according to their crime, calling the whole people after their deeds, saying, “ye that forget God” (Psalm 50:22). You will incessantly choose sin if you liken God to men. Behold threatenings of God to such a person: he warns, “lest I tear you in pieces.” Psalm 50:21-23, “These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes. Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver. Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.”

We are depraved from God’s holy ways before salvation. After salvation we have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16), the new mind of the Spirit (Romans 8:5-9), because of a new divine nature (2 Peter 1:4), to the end we may learn and obey the written word of God. The Holy Ghost will teach you to confess to God, I will “praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name” (Psa. 138:2). The leadership of the Holy Ghost is supremely and primarily through bringing to your remembrance the word of God. Jesus said, “but the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26). Do you know “the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 3:15)?

Inherent in the definition of holy is the complete opposite of such a presumption that God is like men. Holiness is complete separation, otherness, and sanctification from mankind and the world. God commands man to do righteousness, and this is completely impossible for them except they partake of the holy empowerment of the life of Jesus Christ. The commandment of God is, “be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed” by the recreating power of the Holy Ghost (Rom 12:1-2, 2 Cor. 5:17). Therefore, holiness is anti-worldliness, the love of God is a hatred of this world, and unsaved, once-born men are worldlings. Therefore remembering God in an unholy way, remembering him that he is like men, is forgetting him according to Psalm 50:22. If the god in your mind that you may call Jesus, and is thought of as altogether unholy and like yourself, you have forgotten God. That which is in your mind that is unholy is not God. This was the condition of those warned in Psalm 50. Lesson One: Remembrance of God is remembrance of his holiness. Forgetting God is forgetting his holiness. Remembering an unholy god is not God, even if it is in his literal name. Finally, an immovable perception of his holiness will be a barrier to offending Him unto wrath and death.

Before regeneration, “I neither learned wisdom, nor have the knowledge of the holy” (Prov. 30:3) and after regeneration I was able to fulfill the commandment of God, “be ye holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16). Many claim to be learned in the ways of God but are oblivious to the frightful glories of God’s holiness. Seminaries today are cemeteries because “the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding” (Prov. 9:10). Truly, “happy is the man that feareth always: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief” (Prov. 28:14). Let sinners be converted to you Lord, and “let them praise Thy great and terrible name; for it is holy” (Psa. 99:3).

“On Xmas we gather together in Jesus’ name to remember his birth. This is a witness to unbelievers present or absent, an encouragement to believers, and happiness for the children.”

SIN #2 ~ An Unholy Assembly Because Of An Oblivion To God’s Name

What is Jesus’ name? Many people claim to meet in Jesus’ name on Xmas Day, but what is Jesus’ name? When you are near to God, in his presence, or meeting in his name, you must understand that there are inherent qualities of his name “being with you.” God is not a passive cloud but an atmosphere with the gravity of holiness, judgment, and truth! As an introduction to God’s name I reference your attention to an angel spoken of in Exodus 23. Take note of the product of God’s name being with him. Exodus 23:21, “Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions: for my name is in him.” The inherent quality of God’s name is that men must beware to obey, for it is a name that will not pardon transgressions. It is a name that is able to be provoked. Is this Name with you when you meet on Xmas Day? Indeed this is a dangerous Name! A terrible Name! A great Name! “Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy” (Psa. 99:3).

Is this name the reason people congregate to worship on the tradition of Xmas Day? The saints are commanded to remember such holy attributes of God. If you are truly saved, God’s fear has been put within you. God said, “I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me” (Jer. 32:40). Not happiness, slackness or love but FEAR! Of a truth a hymnist did write, “Twas grace that taught my heart to fear.” Any assembly ought to be permeated with this remembrance if it is an assembly of the righteous, as it is written, “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries” (Hebrews 10:24-27). What mind are we commanded to assemble ourselves together in according to Hebrews 10:24-27? It is an assembly for those who have received “the knowledge of the truth,” an assembly for the purpose to provoke each other to “love and good works,” for exhortation with the fearfulness that if we continue willfully sinning, God will hold us guilty of spurning the blood of the Covenant by which we were sanctified (read Hebrews 10:29). Is this your understanding? Do you assemble with these intentions and fruits?

You may attempt to worship on December 25th in his name, but is it with the saints, or a mingled crowd of the regenerate and unregenerate? You should not even assemble without remembering that God’s anger can be provoked to judgment. You should not even assemble for worship with any person who is wicked, as it is commanded, “therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person” (1 Corinthians 5:13).

Every assembly ought to proclaim the truth of the Lord’s name. Can, or will, the Lord Almighty descend upon your meeting December 25th? Let God proclaim his own name to us, let he himself silence all unholy relativism, and let us consult the dictionary that God authored. It is written, “And the LORD descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD. And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation” (Exodus 34:5-7). The God whose name is love declares to you more of HIS NAME: Jesus does “by no means clear the guilty,” for his “Name is Holy” (Exodus 34:7, Isaiah 57:15).

It is easy for an idolatrous “baby jesus” figurine to misrepresent God! Such a gentle or helpless form of God incarnate is not the self-portrait of the Almighty. This form of the Almighty has become the sinner’s perpetual solace. They love “baby jesus” that they may only be reminded of one aspect of the Lord, that he is “merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness…keeping mercy.” Nevertheless God will “by no means clear the guilty.” He is the hunter of evil and visitor of justice.

Truly, are not all guilty? As it is written, “if thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand” (Psalm 130:3)? Nevertheless “there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared” (Psalm 130:4). God is pleased with the observance of the broken-hearted, contrite, and humble, not the self-willed and wanton. The heart can be broken by the hammer of God’s word. It is able to shatter pride to repentance through guilt, shame, and sorrow (Jeremiah 23:29, 2 Cor. 7:10). This is the birth pangs of salvation, “for thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones” (Isaiah 57:15). Some of you would be wise to repent of your thoughts of the Lord that are utterly unholy and contradictory to his word! You can be broken over sin and always rejoicing, don’t doubt it, but these things are spiritually discerned. Your thoughts of his permissive will, your perception of good and evil, and your idea of God’s pleasure in your worship ought to be guiltless of any transgression scripture.

They “offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not” (Lev. 10:1).

Biblically, has anyone ever worshipped God in a way he has not commanded, even with good intentions in his heart, and died for it? It has happened! Any transgression, willful or not, there is consequence. Such a lesson Aaron’s sons forgot, thus they forgot God. Before reviewing their fatal err it is necessary to look at the multifaceted manner in which Satan will allure people to unholy, irreverent, and fearless services toward God. Satan will redefine grace to merit fearlessness. Don’t believe it! Rather, “let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: for our God is a consuming fire” (Heb. 12:28-29). To fear is a command of Christ, a forewarning to his disciples and enemies. He said, “but I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him” (Lk. 12:5). If Satan can, he will dominate the religion of your culture and generation whereby the preachers, teachers, and leaders establish traditions that are contrary to the word of God. If Satan can infiltrate the established religion of your day, it will be a great threat to cause you to be leavened. Leaven is often a dilute form of truth, which is no truth, for truth must always carry a holy potency.

In Jesus’ generation a minority was absent from the traditions of the Pharisees as a minority today escapes the tradition of Xmas. Jesus said, and still says to you today, “Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition” (Matthew 15:3)? He said they were “making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye” (Mark 7:13). You would do well to avoid the same transgression, but you would have to know the “word of God!” If an entire religious system of preachers had a cumulative influence on doctrine and deed, the peer pressure to follow would be great. Shall we fear men or God? Hence the words of Jesus, “Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees” (Matthew 16:6). “Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees” (Matthew 16:12). If it was through the zeal of traditions men forsook Christ, through similar traditional ambitions men will forsake the body of Christ. What happened then must happen today. Don’t think that God will not test you with an “old prophet,” see how he tested “the prophet” in the days of Jeroboam (see 1 Kings 13:1-32).

Two of Aaron’s sons decided to worship the Lord in a way that was not specifically commanded in his word. This defines inordinate worship. Worship that is not commanded by ordinance is inordinate. God commands, “what thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it” (Deut. 12:32). There is no evidence of any willful defiance in Nadab and Abihu. They likely had a good heart, therefore, they are good biblical examples to those who advocate Xmas because “many people have a “good heart” when celebrating Xmas.” What happens when someone worships God in a manner that is not specifically commanded in his word?

Leviticus 10:1-5 And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not. And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD. Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the LORD spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them [made holy by them] that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace. And Moses called Mishael and Elzaphan, the sons of Uzziel the uncle of Aaron, and said unto them, Come near, carry your brethren from before the sanctuary out of the camp. So they went near, and carried them in their coats out of the camp; as Moses had said.

There are many sins that were not worthy of such a death. God seeks to establish a sure, fixed, immovable LESSON to succeeding generations when sin is punished in this manner. The only description of this crime is: Firstly, it was called “strange fire.” Secondarily, it was that “which he commanded them not.” In general terms, this defines strange fire – worship that God has not commanded! Do you have a fear of doing a form of worship that God has not commanded? It is strange, inordinate worship! Bp. Hall says, "It is a dangerous thing, in the service of God, to decline from his institutions; we have to do with a God, who is wise to prescribe his own worship - just to require what he has prescribed - and powerful to avenge what he has not prescribed."

Some of my readers may speculate that there had to be more sin present in this “strange fire” for God to respond in this deathly manner, but I will soon go over another example where the men had a good heart, but were out of Divine institution, ordination, or order – and a man died (sins #4-5, Lesson 4). A perception of an unholy God will boil misguided zeal, in this Nadab, Abihu, and Uzzah died – not willful sin. God has left us two testimonies of this crime being out of order, and that is to extinguish all doubts. How is this just? They were NEAR to God. Some may draw deeper insights out of the origin of the fire used, and other details; nevertheless, the lesson still stands with this banner – avoid doing that which “He commanded not.” Lesson Two: Worship ONLY in the way which God specifically commands us.

I do not accept as valid the speculation that Nadab and Abihu were drunk. First, this was not mentioned as the crime, and so great a crime as this deserves to be mentioned. No, in all repetitions of this crime there is no mention of drunkenness, rather it was strange, inordinate worship (see Lev 10:1, 16:1, Numbers 3:4). Moses drew from these crimes and deaths the grounds to teach a need for recognizing a pervading holiness while being near to God. You can see this mind in the further instructions given to the remaining sons of Aaron (Eleazar and Ithamar). Moses quickly instructed them to avoid misguided zeal lest they transgress the holiness of God again. How? Directly after the death of Nadab and Abihu all the people would be in bewailing lamentation by uncovering their heads and rending (tearing) their clothes. Think of how quickly, and certainly out of a good heart, Eleazar and Ithamar would have desired to honor, express emotion, and love by bitter lamentation following the rest of the people. Moses quickly restrains them of this at the threat of DEATH! Read of the holy order required for these men of God, “a royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9).

Leviticus 10:6-7“And Moses said unto Aaron, and unto Eleazar and unto Ithamar, his sons, Uncover not your heads, neither rend your clothes; lest ye die, and lest wrath come upon all the people: but let your brethren, the whole house of Israel, bewail the burning which the LORD hath kindled. And ye shall not go out from the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: for the anointing oil of the LORD is upon you. And they did according to the word of Moses.”

The instruction not to drink wine (given in verse 9) is rooted from the same grave understanding that motivated the instructions of Moses in Leviticus 10:6-7. Namely, that God is holy, things must be done in order, and rambunctious, self-willed actions are criminal, and offensive to the Almighty – thus God is teaching his people to fear, not be fearless. These instructions were in regard to keep their life, not in reference to the specific crimes of Nadab and Abihu, but avoiding the shocking example of Nadab and Abihu in that they suffered death. “Lest ye die” are terms priests of old are familiar with, but how about you, professing priest of Christ (1 Peter 2:9, Lev. 10:6, 7, 9)?

In Leviticus 16 God advocates the holy requirements of the priests in all manner of preparations to come near to God. The LORD said, “come not at all times into the holy place within the vail before the mercy seat, which is upon the ark; that he die not” (Lev. 16:2). Death at threat is given in the weight of the previous execution, hence “the LORD spake unto Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they offered before the LORD, and died” (Lev. 16:1). Nadab and Abihu offered before the Lord, or, came at their own appointed time, doing their own appointed thing, and all this “before the LORD.” Thus Moses instructs Aaron to keep careful awareness that he comes with the proper preparations at the proper times (Lev. 16). All these preparations of cleanness, atonement, and clothing are shadows fulfilled in Christ; thus, we must firstly be in Christ to come near, yet while we are near, the holiness and strictness of ordinate and inordinate worship still stands. If you think this manner of strictness changes in the New Covenant please continue reading through Sin #7. (See also Acts 5 – Being near the Holy Ghost).

What is the pointed explanation that we should hold tight and bind around our hearts? The Lord says, “in them that come nigh me,” that they will be made holy and glorified – therefore refrain from inordinate worship. Such a lesson would have been received with all gravity and sobriety by the men who carried the bodies of Nadab and Abihu out of the camp. Such sobriety attends the minds of those who attend a funeral today. With such sobriety you should remember lesson two. Do you have the faith to receive it? Xmas is not specifically commanded to be done in scripture as a form of worship to God in the manner the tradition teaches; it is strange, inordinate worship.

How were Nadab and Abihu so careless and light to do such a sin? Aaron, the high priest, would offer incense in a censer before the holy of holies, but this was specifically commanded by the Lord in Leviticus 16:12. Aaron was to do this within the holy of holies behind the vail. Aaron’s sons probably considered that God would accept this same form of worship repeated in another place besides the holy of holies, not from Aaron only but all priests at any time. At this point there is no reference to any

other priests appointed for this task, but Aaron and Moses only. They were too light-hearted in their perception of being near to the Lord, and they could have really tried to do what was right even though it was not according to God’s commandments. Ordinate worship done by inordinate individuals is inordinate worship. Ordinate worship done at an inordinate place is inordinate worship. Ordinate worship done at an inordinate time is inordinate worship. Presumption of God’s permissive will proves deathly important for us today.

Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar” (Proverbs 30:5-6).

“Every part of the religion of God is Divine. He alone knew what he designed by its rites and ceremonies, for that which they prefigured - the whole economy of redemption by Christ - was conceived in his own mind, and was out of the reach of human wisdom and conjecture. He therefore who altered any part of this representative system, who omitted or added any thing, assumed a prerogative which belonged to God alone, and was certainly guilty of a very high offense against the wisdom, justice, and righteousness of his Maker. This appears to have been the sin of Nadab and Abihu, and this at once shows the reason why they were so severely punished. The most awful judgments are threatened against those who either add to, or take away from, the declarations of God. See Deu_4:2; Pro_30:6; and Rev_22:18, Rev_22:19” – Adam Clarke.

True Christian, you are now a priest in Christ. You should learn a lesson from the priests that were before you, namely Nadab and Abihu. Lesson Three: Priest in Christ, take heed. Resist any conclusion that God will accept your worship simply because it is like his commanded form of worship in other biblical instances and places. God accepted the censer of incense from the high priest, and God accepted the gifts from the wise men at the birth of Jesus but Nadab and Abihu copied and were consumed; Xmas is a massacre where men will follow in their dooms. Will you copy the wise men?

The next man in The Hall of Death, Uzzah, died for similar crimes of misguided zeal, forgetfulness, and unholiness. Perilous is a perception of God that is unholy and fiery is the death of the forgetful. To those who turn such forgetfulness into a lifestyle, it is written, “the wicked shall be turned into hell, and all nations that forget God” (Psalm 9:17). My dear readers remember Nadab and Abihu!

The wrath of God is a kindled fire, It burns men in a blink, still standing and entire.Simple men stand unaware, Under falling fire with no care.It surprises the forgetful,Caught up in sin habitual.

The Lake of Fire is a memorial of perpetual just burning, A meditation of everlasting gnashing and turning.An education, a memorization, ceaseless remembrance, and timeless learning.

Consider eternity: Judgment sentences that are everlasting. Think of it, the forfeiting of eternal delights, never to experience their perpetual basking. Will God pronounce to you that your “everlasting confusion shall never be forgotten” (Jer. 20:11)? Imagine hearing from the Great White Throne a voice that is like thunder, like the sound of many waters, saying, “I will bring an everlasting reproach upon you, and a perpetual shame, which shall not be forgotten” (Jer. 23:40).

God surprises men with an eternal education with no graduation. On earth, a devouring fire burns flesh to ash, the pain of the mind does leave in a flash. However afterward, the soul is swallowed by hell in a dash, where there is no luxury of flesh to ash. The senses of the flesh do have limits they can intake, the pain of burning can be quenched by shock, but soul burning is an incessant scream of limitless pains with no break, second death’s digestion of constant oppression. Truly, “Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? Who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings” (Isaiah 33:14)?

There is no anesthesiologist of hell, no pain medications to numb the mind, neither is there any hope that a man can tell. These are subjects of hell’s spell. Depression, oppression, incessantly the hatred of God becomes their obsession. No bed for the soul, no hospital in hell’s hole. In eternal nights of sleepless misery men seek to wake up from hell’s nightmare continually. Helplessly drowning in an ocean of lightning strikes, men seek salvation from God’s wrathful billows of brights. No help, no air, no strength, no one to care, they have become hell’s amalgamation. Who can understand the judgment of unceasing hellish nights? Let the earth quake at the threatenings of God who lives forever. The Lord said, “For I lift up my hand to heaven, and say, I live for ever. If I whet my glittering sword, and mine hand take hold on judgment; I will render vengeance to mine enemies, and will reward them that hate me. I will make mine arrows drunk with blood, and my sword shall devour flesh” (Deut. 32:40-42).

God must be shown to be holy and sanctified by those that serve him or are near to him. Uzzah came near to the Lord, the place where his name was, and he died. Such a death could have been avoided if Uzzah had known the word of God. While bringing the arc to the city of David, one of those who were not specifically commanded to carry the arc made a fatal mistake.

With Uzzah, like Nadab and Abihu, there is no apparent willful rebellion. Rather, David and his men are in good heart. They have apparent and earnest desires to please the Lord. Nevertheless, they were negligent to search the scriptures and follow after what was commanded! The following joyous scene could be much like the regenerate in prayer or praise on Xmas:

2 Samuel 6:1-10“Again, David gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand. And David arose, and went with all the people that were with him from Baale of Judah, to bring up from thence the ark of God, whose name is called by the name of the LORD of hosts that dwelleth between the cherubims. And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in Gibeah: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drave the new cart. And they brought it out of the house of Abinadab which was at Gibeah, accompanying the ark of God: and Ahio went before the ark. And David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals. And when they came to Nachon’s threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it. And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God. And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzzah: and he called the name of the place Perezuzzah to this day. And David was afraid of the LORD that day, and said, How shall the ark of the LORD come to me? So David would not remove the ark of the LORD unto him into the city of David: but David carried it aside into the house of Obededom the Gittite.”

Soon after this, David learned from this lesson that he must be careful to do everything according to God’s word alone to escape all consequence of wrath. God is holy! Learn this today, ceaselessly pray, and you’ll find your way to an everlasting day, for God hath made a way. “And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called the way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein” (Isaiah 35:8). Truly, “whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man’s heart discerneth both time and judgment” (Ecc. 8:5). Both David and Uzzah had good intentions. He was in true heartfelt celebration of the Lord, yet he failed to do everything according to God’s word. Lesson Four: Remember, no such presence of happiness, peaceful worship, or even God’s presence is a validating characteristic that what is being done at that very moment is pleasing or permissible to God. Presumption in worshipful conviction is unholy thought to biblical tradition! What seems like a peaceable decision in the morning may trouble you all through the night. For a careless day in the sun you may blister many days for one.

“David attempts to transport the ark on a "new cart" instead of using the rings and poles as the Law required (Exo. 25:12-15). Additionally, the "transporters" of the ark were not even authorized to carry it (1 Chron. 15:2, 13-15); i.e., the ark was not only transported in the wrong way, but was transported by the wrong people! Is not the celebration of Christmas the wrong way (pagan forms and tradition) with the wrong people (the heathen of the world join right in with the professing Christians)” -Dr. Scott Johnson. David consulted the word of God spoken through Moses and saw the due order that the arc should be handled and carried. He does it the correct way this next time:

1 Chronicles 15:11-15“And David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and for the Levites, for Uriel, Asaiah, and Joel, Shemaiah, and Eliel, and Amminadab, And said unto them, Ye are the chief of the fathers of the Levites: sanctify yourselves, both ye and your brethren, that ye may bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel unto the place that I have prepared for it. For because ye did it not at the first, the LORD our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not after the due order. So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel. And the children of the Levites bare the ark of God upon their shoulders with the staves thereon, as Moses commanded according to the word of the LORD.”

Repetition is biblical and death is a token of remembrance. Priests in Christ take heed, do you think the Lord of Holy Glory is trying to show his people in future generations something important and worthy of application? Lesson Five: Seek God according to his word, as he commanded. This is the due order and this is your sanctity that makes you safe from wrath.

David was a King of Israel. He quickly learned the only safeguard from God’s wrath was to meditate on the law day and night. Doing this he would be careful to fulfill it! Does someone in your family or congregation have to die for you to take heed? Concerning the king of Israel, it is written:

SIN #6 ~ Oblivion To The Fear Of The Lord

Deuteronomy 17:18-20 “And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites: And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them: That his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment, to the right hand, or to the left: to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he, and his children, in the midst of Israel.”

A lesson that would have saved Uzzah: Lesson Six: You must learn the fear of the Lord by reading it in his word, and to this man it shall be well to prolong his days against death. Truly, lofty fearlessness of pride goes where the word of God commands not to go, and therefore “pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18). Note: it is pride that would cause a man to turn aside from the commandments and careful obedience to scripture. It is haughty eyes that don’t see and look upon the word of God day and night. It is the arrogant way of fearlessness that does not remember the word of God. If you told a learned Israelite the “ideal” way of worshipping God is according to a way that is not commanded by God, do you think you could get him to come along? Do you think you could get David to agree and come along? And what of Uzzah’s family? What about Aaron’s family? How is it that they used these experiences to such a healthy application but we cannot adopt the same wise mind?

These examples from the OT that have been referenced were written for our example. For those who disagree with applying these OT judgments to NT believers, in case you have already forgotten Hebrews 10:24-31, read carefully: 1 Corinthians 10:11-12, “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh hestandeth take heed lest he fall.” The context of this verse is in reference to six OT sins committed in 6 different situations and times. In these references many more than six, sixteen, or even sixteen thousand died, and at the conclusion of this Hall of

Death is 1 Corinthians 10:11-12. Those of you who ignorantly judge Xmas to be valid and righteous without careful prayer and study of scripture are subject to deception. You are not heeding the examples set before us. You may think this is extreme, but the truth is, God is extremely holy. I fear for any man who is so callused by culture or the religious influence of his time that he has no ears to hear the knocking of Christ on the door of his heart. The Triune, invisible God makes his will infallibly visible by his word. Are you so ignorant that you trust a fallible preacher over an infallible book?

In the same chapter, 1 Corinthians 10, verse nine references the fifth sin in this Hall of Death. The fifth sin resulted in that many “were destroyed of serpents.” Their sin is that they tempted Christ! It says, “Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents” (1 Cor. 10:9). Yes, don’t tempt Christ! Do you see only love in the Savior’s eyes, or will you know there are other emotions besides. Watch your steps and keep the righteous path, then you will not see the Savior’s wrath! God was in Christ reconciling the world, He commended love and gave good tidings to herald, but simultaneously he warns of wrath and perils. The Lamb that was slain will one day have a new fame, when all the kings of the earth cry out in shame, “hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: for the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand” (Rev. 6:16-17)? He was slain, praise the LORD, but he has slain, and will leave many utterly slain. Do you know this Jesus Christ? A Lamb is a harmless creature, it is gentle and humble. Of all the names of God which may announce that he is worthy to be feared, that would communicate an urgent falling terror, it is the wrath of the Lamb that makes the falling mountains an easier burden to bear! Ye men of the earth wake up, “awake to righteousness, and sin not” (1 Cor. 15:34)! On “flowery beds of ease,” hypocrites incessantly God’s wrath do tease, they sing of the Lamb like a peaceful breeze, knowing not there is overshadowing wrath to appease (“Am I a Soldier of the Cross”).

The holiness of God is generationally, perpetually, and inevitably the same! God and “Jesus Christ [are] the same yesterday, and today, and for ever” (Hebrews 13:8). Worship in the Old Testament is the same grave experience as worship in the New Testament. One form of worship in the New Testament is the remembrance of Christ’s body and blood through what is known as Communion. Is there a New Testament example of presumption, transgressing holiness, and unpermitted worship that is penalized with the consequence of death? Yes, it happened! Priests of the Lord, take heed to your fallen family members of the past, lest you be carried to your grave alike.

What was the sin in Corinth? During the worship of Communion the people sinned by eating and drinking the bread and wine unworthily. Generally speaking, they were treating it in an unholy manner, not after the due order according to Jesus’ word. Lesson Seven: It is easy for men, while ignorant of Scripture, to think lightly of worship through remembrance, thinking God is as lightly to be remembered as man, as events, and as unholy things. Communion was worshipping God through remembrance wherein physical objects represented and communicated spiritual truths. After this manner men have established unbiblical traditions of worship with different physical objects, different spiritual truths, but all this is done in a manner oblivious to the holiness of such a practice. Oblivious to the fact that death is possible to be demanded if perfect obedience in this practice is abandoned. Jesus gave no warning to his disciples who partook of Communion in the hours before betrayal, and this was the first Communion. We don’t read of Jesus earnestly pleading with them to remember not to transgress God’s holiness to stay alive. The Lord knew the disciples had “Moses and the Prophets” to instruct them of the holiness of God and the costly lessons previously written. The Lord did not shed the blood of guilty men, have it written in a book, and command you to study it if he didn’t want you to learn and remember it.

You may be in the Spirit of God, daily experiencing his love, and even graciously feel your heart warmed to him on Xmas day. With all of this, you may wonder… If God hates Christmas so much then why don’t you know about it through his Spirit? First, perhaps he has tried to show you through your conscience. Secondly, whatever the circumstance, the Spirit of God leads you to read the Word of God, and if you neglect or refuse the needful diligence in studying it the scriptures warn of falling into deceit and folly. God did not shed the blood of many men of God, both priests and prophets, so we could learn the lessons their experiences established some other way. The Holy Spirit will lead you to study the bible; He is not an alternative path to Truth. Again remember, Spirit-filled Christian, this is for you: 1 Corinthians 10:11-12, “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” God’s name is “The Word of God” for a reason (Revelation 19:13). Peace in your heart, or anything with your deceitful heart, is not the immovable discerner of what is holy. Rather remember lesson four: Lesson Four: Remember, no such presence of happiness, peaceful worship, or even his presence is a validating characteristic that what is being done at that very moment is pleasing, permissible, or holy to God. Observe the scene of sin resulting in sickness and death for the brethren at Corinth:

1 Corinthians 11:17-34“Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse. For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord’s supper. For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken. What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not. For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come. Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep [are dead]. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another. And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.”

How holy to God is worshipping through remembrance? It is a holy convocation, be deathly aware! If this was the holiness of God in the ordinance of remembering Jesus’ death, would the holiness of God be different for the inordinate worship of remembering Jesus’ birth? It is not necessary to consider such a question since it is not ordained, commanded, or instituted in scripture, but what if it was? Since it is not, wouldn’t the wrath of God be more incited against such fraudulent worship? Remember lesson seven, that, it is easy for men, while ignorant of Scripture, to think lightly of worship through remembrance, thinking God is as lightly to be remembered as man, as events, as unholy things. These Corinthians did not know the cause of their sicknesses and death. Paul informed them it was because they were worshipping God in an unworthy, unholy, selfish, and sinful manner. They were gathered in his name and were being unholy in heart and deed. Truly, his name was there in that he did “by no means clear the guilty!” The New Testament holy God is the same as yesterday’s. Do you think there has been, is, or will be sickness and death amongst your family, friends, and church congregation because of your sins of Xmas day?

For the Corinthians, at least two sins are evident in their observance of Communion. Selfishness turned the eating into their own “meal” and turned the drink into their own “thirst.” It is safe to say that if the Corinthians were not selfish they would have escaped death. The lust of food got the best of some and the thirst for wine made some drunk. In these lusts, the reason for the gathering was forgotten and transgressed. The lust of selfishness would have been prevented by a perception of holiness. Holy gatherings are attended with carefulness by a remembrance of God’s word and its lessons. They should have remembered lesson one. Lesson One: Remembrance of God is remembrance of his holiness. Forgetting God is forgetting his holiness. Remembering an unholy god is not God, even if it is in his literal name. Finally, an immovable perception of his holiness will be a barrier to offending Him unto wrath and death.

Has not Xmas become about you? Is the deadly sin of selfishness or an unholy mind present in Xmas? Xmas is a coming together in Jesus’ name; it is a gathering for the sake of remembrance of Jesus’ birth. The application of lessons 1-6 should be enough to cause a man not to celebrate Xmas. Remember lesson three! Lesson Three: Priest in Christ, take heed. Resist any conclusion that God will accept your worship simply because it is like His commanded form of worship in other biblical instances and places. Nadab and Abihu sought to copy the high priest, worshipping by censer and incense. Likewise professing priests in Christ copy the Sabbath and Communion by self-sanctifying a day and calling an assembly to worship God by remembrance of Jesus’ birth. Xmas is condemned! It is not biblically commanded and is therefore strange fire. The “spirit” of Xmas is a demonic spirit, the reason for the season has become a provision for biblical treason.

Is it a selfish gathering? Need I make any comment? As the men of Corinth turned the bread into “their meal” and the wine into “their drink,” Christians aimlessly turn the presents given to Christ at his birth into their own presents. What was supposed to be a remembrance of Jesus body and blood became their bread and wine. What is supposed to be (traditionally speaking) Jesus’ presents has become our presents. The lust of covetousness is the joy of Xmas. Is this your worshipful remembrance of Christ? I think it is the lust of self, the lust of possessions, the covetous desires of men, and the love of money that causes men to bear the fruit of jolly presents on Xmas day. It is so strange that it has been overwhelmingly accepted that Christ is worshiped on Xmas day. It is a worship of possessions and self!

What would the wise men have thought if they stumbled upon your Xmas day? The wise men said, “we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him,” (Matthew 2:2). How did the wise men worship Jesus? They worshipped through two apparent means, falling down and giving gifts. “And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh” (Matthew 2:11). The wise men saw the star in the east and came to worship the Lord through a means of giving gifts. Professing Christians put up a star on a tree that has originated from Paganism and they worship each other like the wise men worshipped Jesus; through the means of giving gifts. Is there any selfishness involved here? If the wise men stumbled into your Xmas day they would fearfully wonder why everyone is worshipping themselves and falling down before a tree. The tree is like an idol, glittering to amaze, and people fall down before it like the idols of past days. This is a laughing stock of devils and an achievement of hell’s praise. “Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen…For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good” (Jeremiah 10:2-5).

Falling down before an idol-like tree, the wicked worship each other through covetousness! Do you think this is a good idea? In this foolishness you would astonish the wise men! “The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words. He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live” (Prov. 15:26-27). Anyone who does not hate covetousness is not even worthy to gather in the midst of the saints and God. Whether he is called a brother or not, he is a wicked person, and must be separated from the assembly of saints. If you think I am being harsh, accuse me not, it is written:

1 Corinthians 5:9-13“I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.”

Even if Xmas was commanded of God to be remembered and men were honoring it in the unholy manner that people are today, they are simply adding iniquity to iniquity and giving great occasion for wrath. If God is true, and he is, then people are yearly stricken with sickness and death all over America because of the Wrath of God! December 25th is the day of American catastrophe and men are smitten by wrathful atrophy. Celebrating a supposed birthday has become their death day, for as the antithesis of earth Christ does His work, “the LORD preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down” (Psa. 146:9). Will not God judge us by the same standard? Xmas has turned into a despicable tradition of the false church, nullifying the commandments of God, and leavening the community with unholy revellings. I am sure the Corinthians were very jolly, but their laughter was turned to mourning and heaviness by sickness and death.

Has not Christmas become about you? It is selfishness with the potential sting of death. Jesus said, “Whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:33). Xmas conveniently multiplies the possessions that you have. People desire to see the life of Jesus and celebrate it with the giving of possessions. Jesus warns of considering your life to consist of possessions. Covetous desires is described as a snare and satanic net to cause men to err from the faith, even “foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition” (1 Timothy 6:9). Ask any heathen that celebrates Xmas and you’ll find they enjoy the presents. Ask most children and you will find the same thing. We are called to flee covetousness, but Xmas considers it a light thing. Can you not see? The golden calf of false Christianity is a covetous Santa Clause Christianity. Do you think that God is glorified amongst the heathen by this? Do you think they see that in Christ is abundant life when you celebrate his birth by enjoying presents? Blasphemy! This godless culture is mesmerized with materialism, so much so that their insatiable lust for these things has caused them to think that the Lord of Glory might be pleased with their celebration of possessions. Xmas is the heaven of the heathen with Christ sprinkled in as a light dazzle of religious symbolism giving society the pride that they gave their nod to God and their remembrance to the Savior…utter blasphemy, shame, and horror.

Do you think covetousness is a light sin? Do you remember 1 Corinthians 5:9-13? Therein is the command of God to expel from the midst of the Church all professing Christians that are covetous. The next chapter, in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, God condemns the covetous to hell whether they profess Christ or not. Anyone who is a covetous person is going to hell! Idolatry is also mentioned in this list of condemnable deeds. Covetousness and idolatry is commonplace in Xmas celebrations. If the covetous “Christian” was to be expelled from all congregational settings that were permitted for the saved alone, which would include Communion, how abominable is a celebration of covetous “Christians” who attempt to worship God by Xmas? Communion is closed and Xmas is open, the commandments of God are trampled and broken, and men call for a holy day on a pagan holiday!

Any such people or congregations that do not hold to the doctrine according to godliness are men to withdraw yourself from (1 Timothy 6:3, 5). Those who are holding this contrary and ungodly doctrine are “destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself,” (1 Timothy 6:5). Christ-less and truth-less “Christians” are ruthless sinners to think that God is worshipped and worthily remembered by a supposed godliness in gaining gifts! From such persons “withdraw thyself,” flee their celebrations or churches. Is this at all troubling to you? Indeed, if all the false covetous Christians were removed from churches, Xmas gift-giving would cease by simply a lack of interest. The righteousness of hating covetousness is a pure witness of Christ to this darkened world. Many do seek the world to impress, but saints do rather have Christ to confess. Life preservation and the world in admiration, or, eternal salvation by a personal crucifixion, you cannot have both, there’s no negotiation!

Oh that Xmas would cease because the Christians were too busy to shop for presents. Yes, too busy washing their hands from the blood of their neighbors’ eternal souls by actually redeeming the time as a witness for Christ (Acts 20:20, 26-27, Ezekiel 3:18-21). A Christian with no witness is a murderer, a red-handed criminal. A Christian with no witness to sinners of judgment to come may excuse himself from the commission by trusting he is destined for greater or lesser rewards, but God will judge this man a ruthless murderer! Paul said, “I am pure from the blood of all men” (Acts 20:26).

A self-sanctified day is a man-made day. Humanity is the antithesis of holiness, an impossible origin of the holy, and any counterfeit declaration is severe folly. It is the sin of a manmade holy-day though it is publicly known as a holi-day.

SIN #8 ~ Inordinate And Self-Sanctified Day SIN #9 ~ Oblivion to the Holiness of a Sanctified DayOne Dead ~ An Unnamed man

Have you considered the significance of the origin of worship by a sanctified day? The most renowned day that God sanctified was the Sabbath Day. He gave particular commandments articulating exactly how to be worshipped all day, to the end that God alone was sanctified. Nadab and Abihu thought they could be like the high priest, likewise men think they can do what only God can do. Firstly, mankind has the audacity to think that they have the right or capability to make a day the Lord’s when only he can sanctify a day to be HIS. Secondly, after choosing the day, then they define how God should be worshipped on the day. They have forgotten biblical lessons and therefore have forgotten God. Finally, on this day the worship chosen is not even guiltless of what is determined as righteous worship, namely that commandments are broken and ungodliness is advanced.

Jesus says most are blind at the end of time therefore the most do become a blind satanic host. A remnant preserved, yet few in number, wonder at the worldwide delusion and the accelerating plunder. The world is happily “remembering Jesus’ birth” by indulging in a polluted banquet of sinful, selfish, and violent covetousness. If a day of worship is set to remember Jesus’ birth wouldn’t it be likely that only those who are born again should attend it? Truly, only those who have undergone the glorious second birth could give glory to Christ’s birth. Likewise, only those who spiritually ate and drank the body and blood of Jesus were to take part in Communion (John 6). Those who seek to worship the Lord on Xmas, even if this was permitted, should then do it by the gift of his Spirit that never transgresses his truth. For “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24). The family of Adam tries to gather to honor Jesus’ name while only the family of Christ can. Adam must die and Christ must live, a new family the Holy Ghost does give, “for whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother” (Mark. 3:35).

God sanctified the seventh day to be a day of his rest. This was the Sabbath. The heathen sanctified December 25th. The Roman Catholic Church, and now the Protestant church, have adopted and sought to redeem it. If worshipping God through remembrance proved deathly important and grave, should we expect worship through a sanctified day is any less weighty? Do you think someone has died for unholy behavior on the Sabbath? “And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man that gathered sticks upon the sabbath day. And they that found him gathering sticks brought him unto Moses and Aaron, and unto all the congregation” (Numbers 15:32-33). What was the final fate of the man who was brought to Moses, who committed what some may call a light crime on the Sabbath? O that men would gain gravity in all services to God! The place of his habitation is the “high and holy place,” the manner of his judgment is the heaviness of holiness, the descent of his presence melts the mountains to fountains, and he is the creator of hell (Isaiah 57:15)! Continue reading and see holy justice did descend upon the Sabbath breaker:

Numbers 15:34-41 “And they put him in ward, because it was not declared what should be done to him. And the LORD said unto Moses, The man shall be surely put to death: all the congregation shall stone him with stones without the camp. And all the congregation brought him without [outside] the camp, and stoned him with stones, and he died; as the LORD commanded Moses. And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a ribband of blue: And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the LORD, and do them; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring: That ye may remember, and do all my commandments, and be holy unto your God. I am the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: I am the LORD your God.”

Ah, now what “professing Christian?” You are gathering presents like sticks, or rather, treasure on earth. You do this on a day you fraudulently sanctified in Jesus’ name! You are gathering treasures on earth and storing up wrath for Judgment Day (Matt. 6:19-24, Romans 2:5). Violating God’s word on the day he sanctified was the crime of the stick gatherer. What of your violations of his word in Matthew 6:19-21? “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Your heart will be where your treasure is, and of course, Xmas binds the hearts of men with the chains of earthly treasure to damn them with this world’s miserable destruction. Like the rich man in Luke 16, is this life your paradise? Take note of the previous verses before Numbers 15:32-33.

Numbers 15:27-32 “And if any soul sin through ignorance, then he shall bring a she goat of the first year for a sin offering. And the priest shall make an atonement for the soul that sinneth ignorantly, when he sinneth by ignorance before the LORD, to make an atonement for him; and it shall be forgiven him. Ye shall have one law for him that sinneth through ignorance, both for him that is born among the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them. But the soul that doeth ought presumptuously, whether he be born in the land, or a stranger, the same reproacheth the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people. Because he hath despised the word of the LORD, and hath broken his commandment, that soul shall utterly be cut off; his iniquity shall be upon him. And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man that gathered sticks upon the sabbath day.”

Sins through ignorance were forgivable, atoneable, but what of willful or presumptuous sins? Don’t commit the sin of “despising the word,” for which there is great consequence. For, “whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded” (Proverbs 13:13).

What of the New Testament Atonement? What of the New Testament availability of forgiveness? Don’t think for a second that he is a different God! Read the New Testament application of merciless justice. Numbers 15:27-32 was the account of the OT wherein “he that despised Moses law died without mercy under two or three witnesses” (Heb. 10:28). Despising the word was willfully or presumptuously sinning. The New Covenant includes the same warnings reemphasized as doing “despite unto the Spirit of grace” (Heb. 10:29).

Hebrews 10:26-29 “For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?”

A gathering together in his name on his sanctified day ought to be with the God of Hebrews 10:26-29. The grace of Christ’s birth should provoke love and even the selling of your possessions! Good works should be the product of the gathering of God’s people. Therefore, the wider context of Hebrews 10:26-29 is reliably the same message (see Hebrews 10:19-25).

What good is your profession of faith if it does not provoke to good works? What good is assembling in his name if it does not provoke to good works? Say your meeting does provoke good works, what good is your meeting if it is transgressing the former lessons 1-7 already accounted. We are to exhort one another, and even more as we see “the day approaching” of our Judgment. A true gathering is to store up treasure in heaven by being rich towards God in good works (Luke 12:21, 1 Timothy 6:18). Xmas makes men rich with regret in hell.

Again I ask, does someone have to die in your family or congregation for you to realize this is sin?

I do believe God is threatening with death if you celebrate Xmas this year. I believe this is the correct application of scripture, therefore, it is the word of God to man. Jesus and Abraham spoke of scripture as having a voice. Moses and the prophets were dead for a long time yet they are referenced as still speaking today. Therefore Jesus said, “they have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them” (Lk. 16:29). This is THREAT #2! God is speaking to you by the scriptures a personal threatening of death, therefore hear ye him!

Reader, how do you know someone has not died already because of this? When considering the biblical history of worship it has been consistently proven that the transgression of God’s revealed will in scripture often resulted in death. The Corinthian church, who was suffering sickness and death, did not know it was the wrath of God because of their unholy “worship,” Paul had to inform them of this. Perhaps someone near you has already died but there was no “Paul” to tell you the reason. I cannot help but be gripped with the fear of how many are sickly and dead on account of this great, unholy, unsanctified, blasphemous day of Xmas in the world.

I am convinced that people all over the world in jolly “Xmas spirit” take Jesus’ name upon their lips and think they are doing him service, and simultaneously they are under impending wrath that ends in sickness and death. Take the zeal you have for preventing abortion, the spread of cancer, or any other grave matter, and now think on your sin of Xmas Day! Christian, spread the news, if you care about your family. Someone could have already died in your family and this was the cause. Someone could be sick now and this is the cause! Tarry not to repent and perhaps the anger of God will pacify from killing your loved one. Indeed Christ saves us from God’s wrath by the fear of the Lord. Will you know that the Holy Ghost will lead you to safety by a fear of wrath? Indeed, in the name of God, in the name of righteousness, and in the name of holiness forsake Xmas! Furthermore, in the name of family, in the name of friends, in the name of the lost, and in the name of mankind, I plead, forsake Xmas!

On another occasion, two individuals died for simply lying to the apostle Peter. Another was blinded for a time because he opposed the work of God through the apostle Paul (Acts 5, Acts 13:11). On the day of “Jesus’ birth,” parents today think it is a game to lie to their children and drown them in toys. God is holy! Such greater and terrifying holy judgments are stored up until the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous Judgment of God. Do you consider Christ to be weak and lowly upon his return? Rather, the “Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9)”.

God and Christ are holy! The beasts in his heavenly presence exclaim no other name but “HOLY, HOLY, HOLY” (Rev. 4:8)! “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10). We cannot worship God after the creative imaginations of our own heart. It is when men do what is right in their own eyes, according to the imagination of their own hearts, that the wrath of God is kindled more. God said, “This evil people, which refuse to hear my words, which walk in the imagination of their heart, and walk after other gods, to serve them, and to worship them, shall even be as this girdle, which is good for nothing” (Jeremiah 13:10). Is not the God of this world entertainment, sports, luxurious pleasures, and possessions? Has Xmas coincidently taken the desires of this world and justified them as a service, worship, and honorable remembrance of Christ? Indeed, it is a snare for the heathen to consider their life to consist of their possessions, and blinded in sin, they think it honors the life of Christ by celebrating the joys of their depraved life.

Take heed of the New Testament holy God in the book of Hebrews 12:29, “For our God is a consuming fire.” Do you think that this letter, written to the Hebrew Jewish Christians, was not in remembrance of all that happened to the Jews in the past wherein God often consumed men with fire when they transgressed his holy ways? Do you think the Jewish mind would remember anything else but all these fiery events when a Jew addresses God as being “a consuming fire?” In Exodus 32, God almost consumed the entire congregation of the Israelites and intended to start the line of the seed over with Moses alone. If this had transpired the name Israelite would likely have ceased to be used, for the lines of Israel would have been lost except for Moses. God has consumed men with fire enough times to call him “a consuming fire.” Such times should be our remembrance rather than Xmas Day.

“If we have forgotten the name of our God, or stretched out our hands to a strange god; shall not God search this out? For he knoweth the secrets of the heart” (Psalm 44:20).

SIN #10 ~ A Strange godTHREAT #3 ~ God Shall Search This Out

Would to God that he is searching it out by the word of God in this book! The Holy Ghost is a comforter and convicter, He wields the sword of the word of God to deal with the heart (Eph. 6:17). “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). Henceforth I ask, “as though God did beseech you” by me, do you know God The Consuming Fire (Heb. 12:29)? God will search out your heart to see if you will repent, and if you do not forsake Xmas God could quickly bring parallel justice as all the examples of the past.

If we have forgotten God then he will conclude his search with the justice sentences in like manner of The Hall of Death, but likewise these sentences: “because thou hast forgotten me, and cast me behind thy back, therefore bear thou also thy lewdness and thy whoredoms” (Ezek. 23:35). “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children” (Hos. 4:6). Xmas is the lamentation, “so were they filled; they were filled, and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten me” (Hos. 13:6). “They have perverted their way, and they have forgotten the LORD their God” (Jer. 3:21).

Whenever God would consume men with fire and burning, it proved to be a memorable event. In Numbers 11, the people remembered when the fire burned among them by naming the place after the event, “Taberah,” which means burning. Numbers 11:1-3, “And when the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp. And the people cried unto Moses; and when Moses prayed unto the LORD, the fire was quenched. And he called the name of the place Taberah: because the fire of the LORD burnt among them.”

Let us take every lesson we can and learn from the example of those that were consumed, that we be not presumptuous like them! Let us remember these events, let them teach us, reprove us, correct us, instruct us, and save us! Let us make “known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:15-17).

“See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil” (Deuteronomy 30:15). Every one of the seven lessons written to make up this first chapter, if they are transgressed it could mean sickness or death, therefore with this awful cost in mind make your choice. The scriptures are true, and, “in the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death” (Prov. 12:28).

Lesson One: Remembrance of God is remembrance of his holiness. Forgetting God is forgetting his holiness. Remembering an unholy god is not God, even if it is in his literal name. Finally, an immovable perception of his holiness will be a barrier to offending Him unto wrath and death. Lesson Two: Worship ONLY in the way which God specifically commands us.Lesson Three: Priest in Christ, take heed. Resist any conclusion that God will accept your worship simply because it is like His commanded form of worship in other biblical instances and places. Lesson Four: Remember, no such presence of happiness, peaceful worship, or even his presence is a validating characteristic that what is being done at that very moment is pleasing, permissible, or holy to God. Lesson Five: Seek God according to his word, as he commanded. This is the due order and this is your sanctity that makes you safe from wrath. Lesson Six: You must learn the fear of the Lord by reading it in his word, and to this man it shall be well to prolong his days against death. Lesson Seven: It is easy for men, while ignorant of Scripture, to think lightly of worship through remembrance, thinking God is as lightly to be remembered as man, as events, and as unholy things. “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live” (Deuteronomy 30:19).